Environmental scans are used to analyze academic departments in order to help expand librarian relationships with the faculty and their students.
This environmental scan will utilize both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. These activities will support engagement, research services, teaching & learning, collection development and scholarly communication.
In order to better understand the department, programs, faculty and students, data will be gathered to inform the sevices and support provided. Including but not limited to:
surveys
interviews
observations
review of department webpages
faculty research
To be determined by the librarians based on knowledge of the subject areas. Including but not limited to:
citation analysis,
professional websites & blogs
Based on the results of the scan, librarians may choose to:
use assessment data and analysis to respond to user needs and to shape collections and services
identify potential individual goals, strategies, or targets for outreach
identify/receive faculty scholarly output from appropriate team or personnel in order to facilitate outreach efforts
pursue appropriate innovative services or resources to better serve the existing and changing needs of our students and faculty
creatively promote evolving research and scholarly communication services
seek opportunities for collaboration with departments or colleges
conduct and/or attend workshops on specific database or technological innovations that can be used in teaching or research